Hi All....

This is nother beautiful "no name" fig from a neighbor.  I stumbled through the variety pages but, closest I could come is, maybe a Black Mission?  Whatever it is, it bears a most flavorful large fruit.  Only takes few of these to make a happy meal. 

If you think you recognize, I would sure like to put a name on the fig.   In addition to pictures below, here are a few characteristics.   The tree was purchased at local nursery some 20 years ago.  We don’t seem too much in variety today but, maybe back then there was more.  I encouraged and helped neighbor thin out and prune last winter.  A first in at least ten years!  Although, it was at the expense of a reduced breba crop, this gave the tree renewed vigor.  Bumper crop this year!   This does seem to be a heavy bearing fig.  Nice fruit from mid-July, well into October

Unlike most fig trees that I’m familiar with, this one goes very slow.   Does not get leggy!   Fruit holds well on tree through ripening.  It does develop stretch makes in time and some seem to prone to splitting open the eye quite a bit.   Almost like it trying to flower!    The tree is planted in a lawn, so has liberal access to water.   I believe it might be all the water that is causing this random splitting.   To me, the figs are larger…… average being about 3 oz.   Delicious when ripe otherwise the pithy skin taste can dominate.     

Thanks, if you have an idea what this is.  I look forward to meeting some of you at the Fig Fiesta this weekend.......

Nice looking figs Jack!

Lovely fig, colour & size both and good looking healthy tee too.

I don't have a guess as to variety but boy they sure look good!  =)

Looks like a Black Mission to me I can see all over LA.

My first thoughts and my thoughts only are brown turkey family of figs looking at the leaves and inside of figs. .

I dunno Dieseler,  you might be right on with Brown Turkey?     I didn’t realize they got that big?  So, between Turkey and Mission…. which one has the more aggressive growth characteristic.  Maybe that’s the key?   Fig in question is a very slow grower.    A dormant 9 inch cutting would have something like 10 to 12 old leaf nodes.    Tree needs pruning only every few years!

On the other hand, the only tree I’m familiar with (my unknown tree), grows like a weed and would have a third the leaf nodes.   Has a smaller black fig and leaves have longer fingers.  Tips on my tree’s new growth have a red shield and think you or one of the other members once said that indicated Mission.   

I’m kind of thinking Mission and Brown Turkey are two of the most common nursery fig in these parts.  I don’ remember seeing others.  Not that I ever went fig tree hunting until the bug bit me……. :-)

Heck…..  probably a fool not bring some samples  of both to the Fiesta this weekend and let Jon judge.

Thanks…

Jack, those look exactly like the caprified Brown Turkey fig that Jon and I ate at UCD last year. They were to die for good and rich!

Okie dokie Dennis……. between you and Dieseler, I’m buying the Brown Turkey label.   Good…. that means my other unknown is probably a Mission.   Still think I will flitch a few more fresh figs in the morning and run them under Jon’s expert eye tomorrow, before celebrating though.  Thanks for your input.

Bosco mission is aggresive in growth habit more than Bt but Brown turkey can hold its own in the growth department.
Nothing wrong with brown turkey figs if your happy is what counts not what others say about different fig types or what charts rate them at.
and with that statement
Stay on the darkside !

The last word..!

I took samples of neighbor’s fig to the "Fig Fiesta" last week for expert opinion.  According to Jon, Frank, Harvey, Sue and all the experts present, this fig is definitely of the “Brown Turkey“ family.   Think one of the confirming features or giveaway traits was the cavity or hollow space in center of fruit.  Wow, who woulda known, that was new fig fact fact for me....... :-)

Added bonus…….  the mystery fig I've had in the grove for years was also passed under the experts eye and palate for identification.  All around consensus was, it is most probably a “Black Mission”.   Sure is a nice fig for this zone, I getting a tasty bumper crop this summer. 

Thanks for all the previous tips and ideas.

That is kind of Strange the Leaves look like Brown Turkey and the interior looks like Brown Turkey.....and the skin looks like a Black Mission...?????
I will need you to send me some figs to confirm...LOL     Thanks Jack...

Oh no, No, NO…… I never meant to imply the Brown Turkey taste like a Black Mission.   At least to me..! 

The two figs I am very familiar with, to my palate, are different.   I wouldn’t turn either away though!  If sampled at their optimum ripeness, the Mission has a more favorable delicate berry flavor and sweetness than the Brown Turkey.  While a wonderful tasting fig, the BT I have access to, can go bad on the tree quickly in hot weather.  Splitting easily….!    A day too early and it can taste a little on the pithy or pulpy side to me.   A day later and they have gone to ferment or bad!   Get them right and they are indeed a “happy meal”.    

The Mission on the other hand, is way more predicable.   Not to speak of shelf life or tree time and flavor.!  Assuming my Norwegian friends (field rats) don’t find a way to them first, that is……… :-)

FWI……. for my zone, planted in ground, Black Mission would get my vote.